Beach cleaning takes off - students, volunteers participate

Beach cleaning takes off - students, volunteers participate

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 21, 2014 : Beach clean up day was organised on September 20, by the Indian Coast Guard in association with various organisations and children from various schools. The aim of the event was to clean up the selected beaches and coast line and also spread awareness among local citizens about clean coastal environment. Sheathed in plastic protection and carrying bags to dispose off the garbage,Alongside students, members of public picked up plastic covers, empty bottles, paper cups and a host of other discarded stuff strewn all along the stretch covering the beach.an army of students from higher primary schools and colleges were at Panambur and Thannirbavi beaches at 7 am, on operation beach cleanling drive and give a complete makeover to the beaches.

“We had come to the beach along with our friends in days gone by, after having eatables, we left the plastic covers and paper cups on the sand. Now we have come to clean the beach. We have realised the mistake of polluting the environment,” said college students. The Coast Guard had taken up the drive on Panambur, Surathkal, Malpe and Thannirbavi beaches. “Nature gives us back what we give it to the nature. If we check pollution, then the surroundings will be clean. We will give priority to cleanliness of our surroundings and also will try to create an awareness among public on the same,” said a College student. By participating in the beach cleaning drive, we develop a sense of responsibility, said one of the volunteers who came along with her friends.

“The plastic carry bags, cups and other materials strewn about, enter into streams and river during rainy season. From river, it reaches the sea and during tide, the garbage lashes back to the shore. Hence, we have to dispose off the garbage effectively in the beach to maintain cleanliness on the shore. We are also responsible for creating pollution,” said PU College student.

Flagging off the drive, Coast Guard Karnataka Commandant R M Sharma said that there is a need to reduce the use of plastic carry bags and give priority to cleanliness.

The students of Panambur School, Mahesh PU College, Bengre School, and M V Shetty College cleaned the beach under the guidance of Commandant Rajendar Singh Satpal and Pollution Control Board senior scientific officer Jayaprakash. The groups that had collected highest garbage were given an awarded.